title
PROPOSED PREVIOUSLY APPROVED ITEM AMENDMENT
Department: Cook County Board of Commissioners
Request: Amendment to the Alternative Health Intervention and Response Pilot Program Task Force creating a position for a community representative to sit on the Task Force.
Item Number: 22-0737
Fiscal Impact: N/A
Account(s): N/A
Original Text of Item:
A RESOLUTION FORMING THE ALTERNATIVE HEALTH INTERVENTION AND RESPONSE PILOT PROGRAM'S TASK FORCE
WHEREAS, recognizing an increase in the number of individuals seeking behavioral and mental health services, the Cook County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution in October 2021 declaring mental health a public health crisis; and
WHEREAS, there has been an expansion in our public consciousness and amplified discussion regarding the role of government entities and law enforcement in responding to mental and behavioral health emergencies, especially in light of the need for alternative public safety programs; and
WHEREAS, on August 25, 2021, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law in Illinois the Community Emergency Services and Support Act ("Act"), 50 ILCS 754/1 through 754/65; and
WHEREAS, the Act requires every unit of local government that provides or manages ambulance service or similar emergency medical response to coordinate with mobile mental and behavioral health services established by the Illinois Department of Human Service's Division of Mental Health ("Division of Mental Health"). The Act requires coordination with a newly established 988 hotline, which connects callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline; and
WHEREAS, the Act aims to provide callers seeking mental or behavioral health support with an appropriate mental health response, specifically with professionals trained in de-escalation techniques, knowledge of community services and resources, and respectful interaction with those experiencing a crisis while at the same time diverting non-violent/non-criminal c...
Click here for full text